Gaming Outpost Discussions » Tag: multiverser

Gaming Outpost Discussions » Tag: multiverser - Recent Posts http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/tags/multiverser Gaming Outpost Discussions » Tag: multiverser - Recent Posts en-US Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:48:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/search.php M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36191 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:47:08 +0000 M. J. Young 36191@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ There is no word in the bird's language for "insects", and when you try to come up with the word for a "bat" it's the same as the word for a "bird". When you press for the details, you find that all flying insects are also birds, and all crawling insects are "four-legs". Apparently that designation has more to do with their stance than the actual number of legs. ***** "I expect that there are those that deserve to die, and probably they die. Then of course there are those who die who probably didn't deserve it. Death comes to all eventually, and sooner if you don't do what you need to do to live. If you don't do what you need to do to live, would that mean you deserve to die? Perhaps that's what you mean?" --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "Count Shawn Fighting, Shawn Kelley continues play" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/count-shawn-fighting-shawn-kelley-continues-play/page/2#post-36190 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:52:10 +0000 M. J. Young 36190@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ As Shawn returns after a vacation of his own, we're moving this to a new thread, <a href='gamingoutpost.com/groups/m-joseph-youngs-games/forum/topic/count-shawn-kelley-present/'>Count Shawn Kelley Present</a>. --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36189 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:02:46 +0000 Oak 36189@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What of insects, or of bats?" -=- "Ah, this all has to do with my story, the tale I sketched to you in song just now. For it is a tale of a wretched unworthy fellow, and of a great king he served. This fellow had jobs, things he had to do, things he was required to do... and yet did not do them. And the king was indeed very angry, for the conduct of this fellow was so utterly negligent and so utterly wretched as to be worthy of death." "Have you any such things in your experience, among your people? Things that are so important to do, or not to do, that those who transgress are worthy of nothing but death?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36188 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:29:09 +0000 M. J. Young 36188@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Oh, yes, all of the two-legs are bigger than birds, even bigger than predator birds; but no, if they fly they must be birds. That's just obvious. The ability to fly is the definition of a bird." ***** "If I didn't make sure that my woman and her children were clothed and fed, she'd be very angry, and she's not so easy to live with when she's angry, and she's not so easy to escape, neither. As to the king, I suppose if he couldn't do his job we'd get another king. I really don't understand what you're about in all this." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36187 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:10:55 +0000 Oak 36187@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Are all of the two-legs about my size? Are any much larger or smaller? Do any look much different, as if they are a different type of creature than I? Do any of them fly?" -=- "Why do you have to do anything? What if you didn't do your job? Or what if your king didn't do his?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36186 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:35:12 +0000 M. J. Young 36186@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "I see two-legs, four-legs, snakes, and birds; I see predators and harmless. Two-legs are usually harmless, but they are egg-stealers sometimes. Most four-leg predators can't reach a nest easily, so only have to be watched when getting food. Predator birds are the dangerous ones." ***** "Well, we all have our jobs, that is, what we have to do. I have to keep my woman happy and fed, and get food and clothes for her children. That's my main job." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36185 Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:23:52 +0000 Oak 36185@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What creatures do you see in these woods?" -=- I consider thoughtfully. "Do each of you have jobs, or things that you are required to do?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36183 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:56:05 +0000 M. J. Young 36183@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Odd. I see creatures eating what is not food sometimes, and was glad they did not know what food was; but I never considered that something might be food for them that was not food." ***** "Ruled? The King's job is to make sure everyone has food and shelter, and can enjoy life. If we find anything that might be used for trade, such as human coins or jewelry, we give it to him so he can use it to get what we need if necessary. He's required to play the fiddle for our dances, and to know the songs to keep us entertained. But we have no law, if I understand the way you use that word." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36182 Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:46:42 +0000 Oak 36182@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "I'm sorry, but my food is different than your food. I don't know where your food is." -=- "Ah, good questions all. Very well then, let us be sure we understand together the context of my story..." "Now, you previously mentioned your Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna. Therefore, I take it that your people are organized into a kingdom, and ruled by a king. Is this so?" "How are you ruled, then? What is your law? If your king gives a command, is it to be obeyed, or is it to be ignored?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36181 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:42:58 +0000 M. J. Young 36181@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Food". It appears that the bird's language does not have a different word for whatever it is. ***** "Aye, but a rather sketchy tale it was. Where were you lost, when were you blind, and what dangers have you faced? It's hardly a proper tale. It's a bit like saying, 'I went somewhere and something happened and I came back.' Where did you go, and what happened? Or did I miss something?" --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36180 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:19 +0000 Oak 36180@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What do you like to eat?" -=- "Ah, but I already did... though there are many hidden treasures within it that are worthy of further detail. You heard the song I sang when we first met. Have you ever heard the like of it before? What did you glean from it? For that song is the heart and soul of my story..." M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36179 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:53:35 +0000 M. J. Young 36179@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you know where there is any food close at hand?" ***** "All right, then--you first. Tell me your story." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36178 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 03:32:54 +0000 Oak 36178@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Thank you for talking with me. Is there any way that I may be of service to you?" -=- "But do you not share stories among your people? Why bother with ever speaking of Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna, even amongst yourselves, if it is nothing but a lie to distract?" "I suppose that you have a point about control... but I love and serve the LORD my God by loving and serving those around me as best I can. Bridging the gap from strangers to friends won't happen unless someone is willing to reach out, and risk, and be vulnerable. So I freely initiate taking such risk, in the hope that others will also. And you are a good example. With all that your folk have suffered from humans, you would scarcely be inclined to initiate such risk with me. The only hope, slim though it might be, is if I do so first. Is it not so?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36177 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:49:57 +0000 M. J. Young 36177@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Your suggestions of what else there is seem only to confuse the bird. The word for "beauty" appears to suggest primarily sexual attractiveness in a mate; changes in temperature are not other than facts about the world that must be endured; he doesn't really pay attention to ground where he cannot land other than to keep going until he finds a place where he can. ***** "You have a strange idea of the use of stories, stranger. But then, if you're right, that knowing someone's stories helps you understand them, that would be all the more reason why you shouldn't tell your stories to strangers--understanding others lets you control them, and so being understood makes you controllable." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36176 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:15:35 +0000 Oak 36176@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What of the beauty of the forest, or of the great waters you fly over when you follow the sun, or of the rising sun's warmth on a chilly morning, or of the coolness of a breeze on a warm afternoon?" -=- "Some stories can be for such base things, but not all. Stories may recall worthy events of the past, such as Beren Briarfoot and Princess Alyna. Stories may convey great truths by illustration or parable. And the stories that folk treasure in their hearts help me understand and know them better. Is it not so?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36175 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:42:36 +0000 M. J. Young 36175@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Other things? Sometimes I thank the maker for my territory, mate, and food. Sometimes I sing warning to my mate that there is a predator in the area, whether a bird hunter or an egg stealer. What else is there?" ***** "Why? Why do humans think anything at all? They find that we're hard to catch, and figure that we must use magic, and then they think that magic can do anything at all, so we must be able to conjure untold wealth, magical healing of whatever ails them, or anything else they can imagine. Many of my kin have escaped the grasp of a human by making unbelievable promises that the humans then stupidly believe--begging your pardon, I'm sure. As if a pot of gold would be any use to someone living in the woods!" "To my thinking, the best service you could do to me and mine would be to forget you ever saw me and never mention it to anyone. The sooner humans stop believing we're out here, the safer we'll all be." "Sharing a song or story? Well, you've heard the bird sing, and I dare say there are other birds with other songs. And there's a fellow comes through from time to time, with a stringed instrument that's not a fiddle, who sings stories to the humans that camp in the woods not far from here. But what's a story but a lie told to distract?" --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36174 Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:49:14 +0000 Oak 36174@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "What things do you say when you sing? Is all your singing related to territory, mating, and food, or do you ever sing of other things?" -=- "But why do the humans think you have pots of gold, or wishes, or whatever other nonsense? Are there none that have ever been friends with your people?" "Well, I am grieved at how your people have suffered, and I understand how I might not be welcomed among them. It is a pity, for given half a chance, I think we could learn much from one another. Are there any other ways I might be of service to you and yours?" "Are there any other folk in the woods that might enjoy sharing a song or story together?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36173 Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:05:43 +0000 M. J. Young 36173@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Why would I converse with other kinds of birds? It's about territory, mating, food. If a bird is dangerous I hide, if it's non-competing I ignore it, and if it competes I tell it to leave." ***** "Seek them? Have you some power to travel to the afterlife and return?" There is some disdain in his tone. "No, stranger; they're dead, and that's the sure of it. It only takes so much torture trying to get a pot of gold or a granted wish or some such nonsense before it's too much and we expire. Our crime is that we aren't what your people want us to be, and for that we are executed." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36172 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 01:55:02 +0000 Oak 36172@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you ever converse with other kinds of birds, or are you unable to understand their speech? Can you converse with non-avians?" -=- I listen to his words with increasing dismay. "I demand nothing of you, though I would welcome your friendship. But I had no idea your people have been suffering at the hands of mine. From my heart, I am sorry." I ponder thoughtfully. "I cannot undo what has passed, but perhaps I can help now. If many have been caught, never to be seen again, would you have me seek them? If any are still alive, I could search for them, and perhaps find them, as I was able to find you. And, if any could be rescued, I could exert myself to try to free them... if your people would have me make the attempt." M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36171 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:57:18 +0000 M. J. Young 36171@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Flock? I do not understand what you mean. The paths get crowded when all are going the same way." "I know that the creator of birds is great and deserves to be praised for giving us all this world to enjoy." ***** "Curious about humans? The only thing that interests me about humans is how to stay out of their sight, which is usually a lot simpler than this. You're short-lived and superstitious creatures, and many a poor fellow has been caught never to be seen again, or to have escaped with harrowing stories of how their captors demanded wishes, or pots of gold, or some such nonsense. And what, pray tell, would you be demanding of me?" --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36170 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:25:11 +0000 Oak 36170@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you flock together with others, or only with your mate and offspring?" -=- "The LORD God Almighty created all things. And it is written, 'All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD', and 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'" "Do you know anything about the LORD? What have you heard?" -=- I smile warmly. "I don't mind. I know well that I am still but a stranger, and not of your folk. But I would be keen to learn of you all, and to call you friends." "Are there bards among you? I am something of a bard, though I have much to learn, and stories and songs of your people would mean much to me. A worthy history should not be forgotten, but passed on from people to people, and from generation to generation." "Besides, are you not also curious about others? I was not in your history until a few minutes ago, yet was I not interesting enough for you to want to observe and learn something of?" I finish with a good natured twinkle in my eye... M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36169 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:18:58 +0000 M. J. Young 36169@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Oh, yes, I follow the sun when it takes the warmth away, but come back when it grows too hot. There are places where the lakes are vast and wild, and do not quench the thirst. There are different trees beyond that, and it is not so easy to build a nest; it is easier to have young here in these forests." ***** <blockquote>Are any of your folk sick?</blockquote> "Sick? Oh, that thing where bodies stop working right because other creatures overwhelm them. No, we don't get sick, thanks all the same. Anyway, why would the gods of men care about us?" <blockquote>Do you or your people have any interesting stories or songs?</blockquote> "Aye, that we have; but we're not so keen on sharing with the humans, if you don't mind me saying. Our stories and songs are our own, and what would it mean to you if Beren Briarfoot went on a great quest to win the love of Princess Alyna, who loved him anyway, and to prove that he was worthy of her hand, when he didn't know that he was actually the rightful heir to the throne, his uncle having never told him that his father had been the king? It's not your history." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36168 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:23:58 +0000 Oak 36168@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Do you travel far when the seasons change, and the leaves begin to fall? What other places have you seen, and what are they like?" -=- "Ah, my seeing you was not by my own might or power, but by the Spirit of the LORD my God. For I have been traveling about the forest, meeting and greeting folks, and ministering to their needs as best as I can. And I heard rumors of other folk dwelling here, and came seeking to meet and greet... and found you." "Are any of your folk sick? I would be happy to pray for them, if you wish. The LORD has been very gracious, and has healed many of the nearby sick human folk recently." "Do you or your people have any interesting stories or songs? As you may have seen, I have a heart for good songs and stories, and would love to hear more." M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36166 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:33:19 +0000 M. J. Young 36166@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ <blockquote>"Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?"</blockquote> "All day. Well, I did go looking for food a bit earlier, but I came back." ***** "Rather hasty of you, to be givin' your name so freely to strangers. As for me, call me dimwit and slowfoot, which is what they're sure to call me when they find I was seen by a human. Still don't know how you managed to do that." --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36164 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:33:29 +0000 Oak 36164@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ OK, I'll continue the conversation until my language tap runs out. "Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?" -=- I blink as I see the creature, and give a friendly nod of greeting. Then, without making any threatening moves, I begin to sing. Quietly at first, hoping to avoid scaring him away, and hoping to attract him with the music... and the lyrics... Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun. I give another quiet friendly nod. "Peace be unto you, friend. Well met. I am John, though some call me Oak. What is your name?" M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36162 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:25:24 +0000 M. J. Young 36162@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Concerning "exploring" the vocabulary, my thinking is that 1) you must want to say something specific to have any contact with the appropriate words and 2) you must actually say it to hear them. By analogy, if you're thinking of explaining something to someone, you think conceptually; it is not until you actually speak it or write it) that you come up words like "eschatology" or "cloud server", because your knowledge of language is responsive to your need to communicate specific ideas. Thus if you are thinking about what to say to the bird, you will have a feeling for what it is possible to say, but you won't know the words themselves without speaking them (or singing them, in this case). You pray your prayer, and suddenly, in the woods a few feet away, you see a small man-like creature, less than two feet tall, dressed in leaves, dark hair and eyes and a pug nose, startled that you have noticed him. --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36161 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:54:39 +0000 Oak 36161@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Praise be to our Creator. How long have you been here?" I don't know how long I will have this connection to the bird, so I do my best to telepathically explore as much vocabulary as possible, in the hopes that my perfect memory will help me to be able to converse with birds in the future... -=- I am trying to perceive magical beings that actually do inhabit this forest. In the same way that the traveler's thoughts about "bandits" and "robbing hood" led me to seek the actual leader of the actual bandits that inhabit this forest, the traveler's thoughts about "magical beings" lead me to seek the actual magical beings that inhabit this forest. After all, I seek to meet and greet and befriend and witness to actual inhabitants, not non-existent figments of someone's imagination... :) M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36159 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:40:29 +0000 M. J. Young 36159@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ There does seem to be a concept of "ancestor" that extends beyond the avian to the creator of avians, something of the same way "father" is used of "God", a sort of "The Ancestor" conception. It is nowhere near as theological as that, but the bird has a recognition of a race-creator. Ah, the magical beings that a traveler believed haunted the forest. Clarify this for me: are you trying to perceive magical beings that he believes inhabit the forest, or magical beings that actually do? I note that the prayer involved gave a specific description of a specific individual you wished to see, but the description you give is going to have a significant impact on what result you get. --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36158 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:30:52 +0000 M. J. Young 36158@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ Icarus nods thoughtfully. "Of course, there is the aspect that the Germans are going to attempt to manipulate you to weaken their enemies, and in the process attempt to strengthen their own operations. Eventually you're going to need an endgame. Have you given any thought to that?" --M. J. Young Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36156 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:35:31 +0000 Oak 36156@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ OOC: As I sift through available vocabulary, does it have any concept of God? -=- After the conversation with the bird eventually ends, I ponder again that first rider I saw traveling through Sherwood, and his thoughts that the LORD graciously revealed to me. And I ponder how I was able to take his thoughts about "bandits" and "robbing hood", and how I was able to present them to the LORD, and how I graciously was given a vision of Robin Hood, and even eventually transported to him. And I ponder his thoughts about the magical beings in the wood as well... And, in a manner similar to how I prayed before, I petition the LORD for a vision of these "magical beings"... I believe that this was M7@2 Magical Clairsentience? The previous use was <a href="http://discussions.gamingoutpost.com/index.php?showtopic=82995&st=20">here</a>... :) kyler on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36155 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:32:03 +0000 kyler 36155@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ My answer: "We picked up a tail while we were leaving. I didn't want him to follow me home." "Kid'll be fine in a couple hours; a bit shaken up and still feeling it, but if he survives taking the message of his failure back to his family then he should be fully recovered in a couple weeks. Besides, if I put him in the hospital his family might be out for blood; as it is, they'll probably be more angry at him for getting caught than at me for preventing him from finishing his mission. Pride can be a funny thing, but I expect they'll take it as proof that I'm as good as I say. "You might be right, but you're also wrong. What I did was less than I might have done; the boy is a criminal. If he hasn't murdered before, they're going to have him kill one day. It's the way groups like that operate. Uf I'd killed him, I'd be preventing him from killing in the future. The reason why I didn't is because if this works out the way I hope, we'll be bringing down a lot more than one. Don't worry; the greater good is somewhere in mind. "I'd say that, for most, killing is the greater evil over the mild sort of torture I put him through, and that in certain situations, a person who could be stopped somehow should be stopped by any means available; likewise, an organization which kills people should be brought to its knees as soon as possible. If we can bring down more than one group of killers, we serve the greater good by cooperating with one group of killers, just as if we can bring down one group of murderers we're justified in cooperating with one killer." M. J. Young on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36153 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:04:04 +0000 M. J. Young 36153@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ After maybe six or seven minutes Icarus appears down the alley where you can see him and your victim cannot. He waits patiently as you finish, keeping out of sight of the victim. The victim is conscious but unable to walk when you are done. Icarus rises out of the alley and joins you out on the street. He asks what that was about, and gets your answer. He nods. "I think I understand. I don't know that I would have done that--something about whether it is ever good to be evil. Maybe you're right, though." He looks back over his shoulder. "Should we call an ambulance?" --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36152 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:55:10 +0000 M. J. Young 36152@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "Peace to you, neighbor. There are some smaller birds in nearby trees that are no threat to me and of no interest. I worry about the nut-gatherers, because they are not above killing eggs. Sometimes larger fur creatures come through, and sometimes uprights like you, and not all of these are safe, but none can fly and my nest is high enough that I do not fear the dangerous ones climbing to it." --M. J. Young kyler on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36150 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:14:17 +0000 kyler 36150@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ I need to send the message that I am ruthless and unforgiving, so I will deliver twenty pain attacks -- ten minutes of pain, hopefully enough to convince him that this is worse than the unknown he'll later face; possibly even bad enough that they decide to spare him later, but I doubt that. I tell him once I read his mind (before I'm through), "Make sure you let your grandfather know that I have spared your life out of respect for his family; if anyone deserves the right to kill you, it's him." If he loses consciousness, I'll leave, my message sufficiently delivered. If not, I'll say as I said I would before walking away. To Icarus once we're travelling again, "If this contact works out as I've planned it, next Saturday night I'll either have information regarding criminal activity of a profile worth our attention or they'll try to attack me, which is grounds to drag them to jail over. I don't enjoy torture, but there's an image I need to present to their organization; that image does not treat these small transgressions kindly." Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36149 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:15:09 +0000 Oak 36149@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ As I sift through the available vocabulary, I modify my intended greeting to match. "Peace be unto you, neighbor. Do you know what other creatures live nearby?" M. J. Young on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36148 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:52:56 +0000 M. J. Young 36148@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ He flinches when you reach out to frisk him, but he's not really in any condition to fight. As you suspected, he has no other weapon. His German is atrocious. He's obviously third generation--his grandparents learned English as a second language, his parents learned German as a second language, and he only knows enough German to know when his grandfather is cursing at him. You can hit him with pain attacks twice a minute, although there is some possibility that he will black out from the pain after a couple of these, particularly as he's already in pain from the attack on his leg. All he's thinking about is the pain, in fact, when you read his mind. Well, that, and wondering whether it's going to be worse when his grandfather finds out that he was ambushed. However, no one else shows us. Are you hitting this kid with twenty such pain attacks, or cutting it to something less? (Icarus might interrupt before twenty, but it wouldn't be fair for me to say that he does interrupt you before some number of attacks which is greater than you would have done.) --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/6#post-36146 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:42:19 +0000 M. J. Young 36146@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ The bird's language does not contain a word for "friend". There is a word that is closer to "neighbor", which means a creature that lives nearby who is neither a threat nor a food source and therefore irrelevant, and another that clearly means "mate", and another for "offspring", and another for "parent", and another for "sibling". Pick one, or find a way to ask without using that word. In giving it your name, are you pronouncing it as "John" or are you translating it, and if you are translating it what meaning are you using for it? It does not understand your reference to the white creatures. --M. J. Young kyler on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36142 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:07:08 +0000 kyler 36142@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ I'll going to frisk him for any other weapons. My feeling is that he probably only had that switchblade, which is why he ran, but I'd still rather not be caught by suprise. Panoramic awareness, I don't want another hero coming up thinking I'm up to no good or any accomplice of the boy approaching. Then I'm going to start using pain attacks on him; probably about ten minutes unless Icarus requests that I stop to spare his own moral obligations. I'll go for German again, and ask the boy if he speaks it. If not, I'll go ahead with English; if so, the message in German will do. "Were you followed?" I'll read his mind, since I know he'll say no. "Tell your boss that this is only a small taste of my power." Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/5#post-36141 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:28:23 +0000 Oak 36141@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ My whistling is mediocre, but my singing is good, and I possess perfect pitch. I have been everything from Bass II to Tenor I, but I don't really go lower than Bass I. I sing Tenor I these days, with a well-blended falsetto that can hit high notes with ease and accuracy. I slowly take a reassuring step away from bird and home. "Peace be unto you, friend. I am John. May we be friends?" "I seek the fair folk. Do you know how I may find them?" M. J. Young on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36140 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:22:14 +0000 M. J. Young 36140@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ You leap into this sideways spin, scissor his right leg (which puts you on the outside toward the center of the alley rather than between him and the dumpster, where you have room to maneuver) twisting your body forward. You hear him cry out as you tuck your head into a forward roll, and as you are landing on your feet you hear him collapsing on the ground behind you. You are very happy with how well that worked. --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/5#post-36139 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:01:21 +0000 M. J. Young 36139@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ You attempt to read what the bird is thinking, and for a moment you have a glimmer that feels almost like a connection, and then it is gone. You try to focus, and try again, but you don't recapture that. Shifting to the language center tap, you suddenly find that you understand what the bird is saying. It is saying "this is my home, stay away." You could probably say something to it. How good are you at whistling, or will you attempt to sing it? (What is your vocal range--e.g., baritone, tenor, countertenor?) --M. J. Young kyler on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36137 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:05:02 +0000 kyler 36137@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ "... although your back will be to your target." Yeah, that's how I envisioned it -- to be able to simultaneously turn around and face someone else. Of course, I might say that at some -SM I could spin the other way to begin with, back first such that I can't see my target in order to end up facing him afterwards, but I've got an acrobatic bod-heavy endgame in mind that will incorporate several positional tactics including rolls and flips but not excluding those which affect my opponent's position (7@2) with my already nod-worthy martial arts prowess, so that's not really the direction I want to take this anyway. Damaging on failure sounds good, but I would say that in a combat situation even if fall impact avoidance is successful I'll need to use my 4@4 instant stand to get up faster than the usual :18 - :60 seconds. My thought for how I would end up on my feet again involved the idea that once I had hit his legs I wouldn't immediately let go and would instead push of in an *upward* motion such that my legs would go *down* and I could then land, crouching, on my feet. If the envisioning involves hitting leg (as opposed to targetted attack only against knee, as it could involve hip or muscle pain against thigh), my small size (4'6") might make it easier to do such a thing; one might either leave it up to relative success or note it as a possibility for the professional or expert. *** I'd like to fall on success for annoying damage. I've got the positional combat training and instant stand should more than make me comfortable. The fall on failure should be damaging. it might be easier (thus either mitigating some penalty I don't yet know about, or providing some bonus for departing from the baseline, or providing some bonus elsewhere in the skill -- not damage, perhaps duration if the question applies) to simply go down with him and worry about the instant stand. As to the classification of the skill itself, I would probably classify it as Kick, but also Grapple (it is something of a grab, and I might eventually take advantage of that factor), and definitely what we call Poke (because it's clearly the kind of ability that requires humanoid anatomy -- while I could use it against, for instance, a centaur, I'd be penalized, I probably wouldn't knock him down, and then he'd probably trample me; it's a really bad idea). Oak on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/5#post-36136 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:59:31 +0000 Oak 36136@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ I attempt to Read Thoughts of the bird. If I'm not successful, I attempt to Focus, and if Focused then try to Read Thoughts of the bird again. After this, I attempt to Tap Language Center of the bird, and then see if I can converse with it. If I'm not successful, I attempt to Focus, and if Focused then try to Tap Language Center of the bird again... :) M. J. Young on "An Unfamiliar Familiar Forest, John Oakmaster alone in a new world" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/an-unfamiliar-familiar-forest-john-oakmaster-alone-in-a-new-world/page/5#post-36135 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:38:16 +0000 M. J. Young 36135@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ You head out into the woods, traveling some distance from the camp alone, and then attempt to "hear" the thoughts around you. You hear nothing. You sit and think for a while about how you might do this, and decide that it might be easier to see thinking than to hear it, so you close your eyes, focus on what you know about thought from mind reading, and then open them again. There is a blue glow--no, not blue, purple, no, that's not right either, it's a color unlike anything you can process with your eyes. It is very faint around the trees and shrubs, and slightly brighter in little specks that are apparently insects, and brighter yet in the two larger animals that stand out slightly--a bird on a branch above you and a squirrel on the exterior of a nearby tree. --M. J. Young M. J. Young on "Super Kyler, Kyler Young's Game Continues" http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/topic/super-kyler-kyler-youngs-game-continues/page/7#post-36134 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:23:44 +0000 M. J. Young 36134@http://gamingoutpost.com/discussions/ If I am seeing this aright, you are going to run at least five feet and then jump, in such a way that your body is spinning sideways, that is, your shoulder heads toward the ground and your feet come up. You then scissor the target's legs between your feet, one kicking forward and the other back, in an effort to disable it, perhaps by dislocating or spraining a knee or ankle. You also use the strike to redirect your spin so you can land on your feet. That part I'm not visualizing. What I can see is that if your top foot is forward and your bottom foot is down you can use the force to spin your body on its normally vertical axis so that your face goes toward the ground toward which your shoulder has been headed, and then you can tuck and roll and come to your feet on the other side, although your back will be to your target. You want base annoying damage, which should be in your favor. I'm inclined to think, based on my vision of this, that failure would mean you hit the ground for damaging damage (and you might be able to mitigate that with your fall impact avoidance skill if it's successful, although I might require some kind of check to see whether you manage to use it in that situation, possibly intuition or a threshhold relative success against the failed roll). If what you envision, particular in regard to how you manage to land on your feet, is significantly different from this, feel free to clarify it. --M. J. Young